by Salome Kalitas | 26 February 2022 08:46 pm02
(Amos 6:5)
“You who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David invent for yourselves instruments of music.”
— Amos 6:5 (ESV)
What did the Lord mean in this verse?
Amos 6:5 says:
“You who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and invent for yourselves instruments of music, like David.”
Did God find fault with David and the way he praised Him?
No, absolutely not.
This verse does not mean that God is displeased with people who praise Him using musical instruments or many kinds of music. On the contrary, God strongly encourages such worship. In fact, this was one of the reasons why David was loved by God.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David himself wrote:
“Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with lute and harp!
Praise Him with tambourine and dance;
Praise Him with strings and pipe!
Praise Him with sounding cymbals;
Praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Hallelujah!”
— Psalm 150:3–6 (ESV)
This clearly shows that God delights in praise offered with instruments, rhythm, and diverse musical expressions.
The key phrase is this:
“You who sing idle (foolish, meaningless) songs.”
In other words, what they were singing did not glorify God. It appeared godly on the surface, but in reality it was worldly and empty. They were not worshiping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
Although they skillfully played instruments and claimed to worship God, their lives and actions were far from Him. They practiced sin and injustice, yet pretended to honor God with music.
This was exactly the condition of Israel at that time. They committed many sins, yet wanted to appear spiritually impressive—comparing themselves to David in worship. As a result, God rejected their hypocritical praise and pronounced judgment upon them, leading eventually to captivity.
The Lord says:
“The Lord GOD has sworn by Himself, declares the LORD, the God of hosts:
‘I abhor the pride of Jacob and hate his strongholds,
and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.’
And if ten men remain in one house, they shall die.”
— Amos 6:8–9 (ESV)
This passage is a powerful picture of the Church of Christ today.
We now have many modern instruments for worship—guitars, powerful speakers, keyboards, modern harps, trumpets, and more. This is good and pleasing to God.
But we must examine:
In many cases, worship music today is indistinguishable from secular music. The styles, performances, and even lyrics often resemble worldly entertainment rather than reverent worship. This is exactly what God called “idle” or “foolish” songs.
Even when the lyrics mention God, our hidden lives may contradict what we sing. If our actions behind the scenes are far from holiness and salvation, then our praise becomes empty noise before God.
This prophecy therefore speaks directly to us. We must repent and realign our worship, lest the Lord reject us and discipline us as He did Israel when He sent them into Babylonian captivity.
The Bible teaches that God must be worshiped in holiness, not only with instruments and voices, but with obedient lives:
“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;
Bring an offering and come before Him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:29 (ESV)
True worship is not just sound and rhythm—it is a holy life expressed through praise.
Shalom.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/02/26/you-who-sing-idle-songs-to-the-sound-of-the-harp/
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